Nuremberg Laws

The Nuremberg Laws placed severe restrictions on Jews to separate them from other Germans. Such restrictions were that Jews were no longer considered German citizens. They were not allowed to marry persons with "German or related blood". These laws took away most of their political rights. Everyone was required to carry identification cards. On the Jewish cards there was a red J stamped onto them as well as a new middle name of Israel for the boys and Sara for the girls.

The laws endorsed the Nazi party at rallies in 1933 - 1935. In 1937-1938, Jews had to report their businesses to the government for a process called aryanizing. This means that all Jewish workers were fired and non Jewish German people were hired. Another non Jewish German bought the store at a "bargain price" set by Nazis. Also, Jewish doctors were not allowed to treat non-Jews and Jewish lawyers were not allowed to practice law.

The laws defined a Jew as someone who has at least three grandparents that were born Jewish. This chart shows the possible lineages of persons of German blood, Crossbreeds, and Jews. A clear circle is a person of German blood. A person with a red cross is of German blood and of the German national community who can become a member of the Reich. A full black circle has all four grandparents that are Jewish and are defined as a Jew. A three quarter black circle has three Jewish grandparents are are defined as a Jew. A half black circle has two Jewish grandparents and are a first degree crossbreed. A one quarter black circle has one Jewish grandparent and is defined as a second degree crossbreed. The chart also shows which marriages are allowed, forbidden, or allowed only with official approval.

This quote from Noam Chomsky, an american activist, shows just how many people this law applied to. None of the presidents post war were Jewish but they all would have been prosecuted if the Nuremberg laws were to be applied in the USA during the time of their lives.

This is a trailer for a movie about the Nuremberg Trials. While it received eleven academy award nominations, it was more than just an entertaining movie for its time. It showed how the Reich leaders where put on trial for their war crimes. The trial was held in Nuremberg because the city was commonly believed to be the birthplace of the Nazi party and held many propaganda rallies. It also held the Reichstag session that passed the Nuremberg Laws so it was seen as a fitting end for the party itself.